When Liam's Christmas plans are upended he decides to take his mom's advice and plan a friends' getaway at the family cabin.
Liam's loved his alpha best friend, Alex, ever since he presented as an omega, but he'd rather keep the other man in his life as a friend than scare him off as a lover. That doesn't keep him from wanting to spend every possible second with him, so he invites the alpha to help plan the getaway at the cabin.
Alex has loved his best friend Liam for years, but kept his attraction to the beautiful omega to himself.
Alex would like nothing more than to claim and breed his best friend, but doesn't want to risk losing the omega if the interest isn't mutual. So he hides his feelings. But that doesn't stop him from jumping at the opportunity to spend several days with the other man at the secluded mountain cabin.
Arriving several days ahead of the rest of the group, Liam and Alex set about readying the cabin for the holiday getaway, but a surprise heat in the middle of a snowstorm means they are forced to confront their emotions. Do they dare admit their mutual attraction, or do they attempt to fight their instincts?
Recipe for Romance
One Alpha
One Omega
10 Years Mutual Pining
One Cabin
One Snowstorm
One Heat
Mix well, garnish with peppermint hot chocolate.
Peppermint Kisses for the Omega is an 11.5K word , non-shifter, M/M, Mpreg romance, featuring two obvlivious men, some knotty fun, and plenty of peppermint hot chocolate.
Summary:
Andrew has one resolution for the New Year: Take care of himself first.
Andrew thought he'd found his freedom when he bailed on the family that wanted to force him into an arranged mating, but as the New Year starts he finds himself in a relationship that's becoming more satisfying by the day. So he decides to bail on the big city and start again somewhere new, somewhere smaller.
A few taps on a map app later he's on his way to what will hopefully be his new home: Mountain Springs.
Carlos feels as though he's never really connected with an omega...
Carlos left Mountain Springs for college, then to work. But when his Papa falls ill, he finds himself back to take care of him. However, the omegas are still the same men he'd never been interested in before. So he resigns himself to waiting.
Then a chance encounter has the perfect omega falling, literally, into Carlos's arms. But can he really be falling so hard, so fast, for an omega he barely knows?
Recipe for Romance:
One Alpha
One Omega
Instant Attraction
Some Fun and Friends
One Heat
Fated Kisses for the Omega is a 15K word , non-shifter, M/M, Mpreg romance, featuring fated mates, plenty of desire, and some knotty fun.
Mason's hated Valentine's Day ever since his fiance broke off their engagement on that most romantic of holidays.
Ten years after his alpha ended their engagement, Mason still feels the hurt and does everything he can to not thing about his lost love or the holiday. But being Mountain Springs' only chocolatier, he doesn't have the luxury of hiding from the day like he'd prefer.
Devon just wants to protect his omega, even though he knows he hurt him.
Ending the engagement was the last thing Devon wanted to do, but he needed to protect his omega, and at the time he thought it was the only solution. Now there's an arsonist running around Mountain Springs, and Mason's shop is in the crosshairs. Devon realizes he'll have to hurt his love again in order to protect him.
When both men are frced to confront the past in prder to prevent calamity, will their history get in the way, or is a little heat just what it takes to bring them back together?
Recipe for Romance
One Protective Alpha
One Emotionally Scarred Omega
1 Failed Engagement
1 Chocolate Shop
1 Arsonist
Candy Kisses for the Omega is a 13K word , non-shifter, M/M, Mpreg romance, featuring two men afraid to confront their past, some knotty fun, and plenty of chocolate.
Summary:
Sean just wanted to get rid of his nausea before finals, but when the doctor tells him he's pregnant his whole world changes.
Sean doesn't remember the party that led to his baby, but he knows that it wasn't his choice. He'd long before decided to wait until the right alpha came along, and learning of his pregnancy gave him the determination to fight back. It would be easier though if his baby wasn't making him knot-crazy.
Russell needs more experience as a lawyer, but the gorgeous, pregnant, omega tests all his instincts.
Russell is ready for a break after a case with a trying client, but he's not one to turn down a chance to work on a major case. But when he sees the gorgeous omega, and learns what happened to him, his alpha side rages. All he wants is to ptotect the handsome man, and his baby. Can he keep his alpha side in check when all he wants to do is enact revenge on behalf of the man his instincts claim is his?
Recipe for Romance:
One Determined Omega
One Protective Alpha
An unplanned baby
An impending lawsuit
A field of spring clover
Clover Kisses for the Omega is a 13K word , non-shifter, M/M, Mpreg romance, featuring an omega determined to do whtat's right for himself and his baby, an alpha determined to protect them both, some knotty fun, and a bit of luck.
Trigger warning: Sexual assault is a background topic, though not graphically discussed
Original Review December 2023:
Some might see Peppermint Kisses as a story about two people who love each other but don't admit it or perhaps even miscommunication/lack thereof trope. Those people wouldn't exactly be wrong but for me it's more than that. Yes, Alex and Liam do love each other and yes, leave it unspoken but they both do so because they don't want to risk losing the other's friendship. Definitely not communicating their feelings but they do so with a specific reason in mind which to me is so much more than just not giving voice to their true heart.
Despite having read a dozen, give or take, in the mpreg trope/genre, published reads is still very new-to-me and having only experienced a couple of authors' take on the fantasy I can't truly attest to which author does it best but I really love the way Lacey Daize creates a blend in details from subtle to specific. Mountain Springs Omegas may be a novella series but by the time I've swiped the last page, I feel as if the author has created a bodily function that is more realistic than fantasy.
One element I will make note of: loved that Liam's parents presented as his mom's the alpha, his dad's the omega and that she knocked up him. Not something I've seen before in my mpreg reads which is reasonably minimal as stated in the above paragraph. Or perhaps it has been mentioned in other of my reads and just didn't stand out as wonderfully as in Peppermint. Either way it added another level of yum.
Alex and Liam are so darn cute that it's perfect for the holiday setting. From being saddened by family traditions being scrapped to fears of the truth peaking through to friends arriving in a not so opportune moment, Peppermint Kisses is a delightfully fun, sweet, friends to lovers romance that can only make your day lighter and brighter.
Fated Kisses #2
Original Review December 2023:
I've only read a few entries of Lacey Daize's Mountain Springs Omegas but each one as has been an amazing blend of friendship, romance, humor, healing, and heart. It's this very blending of emotions that make the characters not only likeable but wrap-in-bubblewrap loveable and sends the reader into Mama Bear mode. Fated Kisses is no different, Carlos and Andrew both have strengths that are not only heightened by each other but also within themselves and you can't help but want to see them find their HEA. Sometimes we just have to close our eyes and take that leap of faith and that's what this holiday short is all about. Such a delightful addition to my holiday library.Candy Kisses #3
Original Review February 2023:
Over the years I've read a handful of mpregs in fanfiction and enjoyed them all but I'll admit I've only read a few in published works, which I too have enjoyed each time. It may not be a genre or trope I seek out but I don't shy away from either and have collected a fair number on my kindle and TBR list but haven't had the opportunity to discover yet. As for Lacey Daize? This is a new author to me, some find that scary but I find it adrenaline pumping almost as much as the rush I get waiting to discover the end of great book. Lacey Daize is definitely an author to go on my authors-to-watch list and I look forward to discovering more.
On to Candy Kisses. Being a short novella I won't go into much detail so not to spoil it for others who are also new to either the author or this story. Candy is the third entry in the author's Mountain Springs Omegas non-shifter mpreg series and as far as I can tell it is a series of standalones. Being a series-read-in-order kind of gal, it is unusual for me to start in the middle but as I was looking for Valentine stories, what can I say I took a chance😉.
I enjoyed every minute of this short tale of love, friendship, second chances, and it has just a hint of mystery that made it a winning gem. I want to wrap Mason in bubblewrap and though I wouldn't mind giving Devon a good solid shake(and possibly a whack to the back of the head) I understood his thought process wayback when. Can the pair work through the heartache of the past to find happiness in the future? You'll have to discover that for yourself, as it's a holiday that is all about love you can probably guess where the couple will end up but getting there is where all the entertaining discovery lies.
Candy Kisses for the Omega has definitely made me want to check out the rest of the Mountain Springs Omegas series.
Clover Kisses #4
Original Review March 2023:
Original Review March 2023:
Being the 4th entry in the author's Mountain Springs Omegas series, having read the 3rd, and not yet having read the first two is not how I usually roll. I've always been a series-read-in-order kind of gal even with series' that contain standalones. Again, as I said in Candy Kisses(#3 for Valentine's Day), I was not lost at all though there was a cameo scene with characters from that holiday short as friends to the MC. That cameo did not effect my enjoyment of Clover Kisses, good or bad, it just gave me a bit more of a community feel and increased my desire to go back and read the first 2 to see if anyone else popped in and out😉.
As for Clover Kisses. I do think there was a bit more of a darker side to this entry but not dark enough to cast a shadow over the love at play between Sean and Russell. Truth is, in my reading experience at least, that balance of dark and light isn't often found in short stories and when it has been there it's hard to get that balance realistically entertaining. Okay, so "realistic" seems like an odd term for the mpreg genre but emotions are always real no matter the genre or subject.
It's something that happens too often(perhaps not for the same reasons or results as this mpreg tale) and you can feel Sean's fear AND fight response jump off the page and it made me root for him all the more. The anger and protect mode that Russell faces when he meets Sean is also palpable. The two of them together had me warring between wrapping them in bubblewrap and Mama Bear hugs to keep them safe and giving them whatever they needed to fight and protect the little one inside Sean.
A wonderfully emotion charged, heat-filled story with plenty of heart and the right dash of humor that sucks you in and leaves you not ready to say goodbye when you swipe the last page. Definitely a winning gem.
RATING:
Peppermint Kisses #1
Chapter 1 - Liam
“What do you mean you’re going to Hawaii for Christmas?”
My mom turned from the sink, crossed her arms and fixed me with a stare. “Just what I said, your father and I are headed to Hawaii for Christmas.”
“But… Christmas dinner… seeing everyone.”
She shook her head. “Christian has that big case, and he can’t get away from the city. Philip is spending the holiday with his new girlfriend. It would just be us, and you.”
My mother sighed, walked over and set her hand on my shoulder. “Your father has always wanted to go to Hawaii, and we were able to get a deal on a travel package. I want to do this for him while we’re still young enough to enjoy it.”
The tone was soft, but firm, my mom’s alpha stubbornness clear. It had been decided. I was on my own for the holiday.
I sighed and sank into one of the kitchen chairs.
She sat across from me. “It’s time for you to spread your wings a bit Liam. Why not plan something fun with your friends?”
“Like what?” I asked, crossing my arms on the table and dropping my forehead to them.
“Why don’t you head up to the cabin? It’s a nice drive, and the roads stay pretty clear. You can invite some friends and celebrate your own Christmas. Make it a few days, and you can go skiing as a group.”
“But the store…” I protested, raising my head again.
Mom smiled and rested her hand on my arm. “You’re not the only employee sweetie. I think James and the part-timers can handle the last of the Christmas shopping.”
“What if there’s a rush?”
Mom laughed. “Maybe that new mall in Mount Sable will see a rush, but most of our holiday season is over. We don’t stock the latest and greatest, so we get the stragglers who are in for a last minute gift.”
I took a deep breath and released it slowly.
Mom frowned. “You don’t have to go to the cabin sweetie, but you should at least try to do something fun.”
“No… I’ll go. It sounds better than moping around here.”
Mom patted my arm. “Just you wait. You’ll realize that hanging around your friends is much more entertaining than spending the holiday with us old people.”
I snorted. “You aren’t old. You’re barely fifty.”
Mom smiled. “Thanks, but you should still spend time with people your own age. It seems you live at the store some days.”
“Who else is gonna take it over when you retire? Christian is off being a big-shot lawyer, and Philip seems intent on his art.”
Mom stood and rested her hand on my shoulder. “Just because you’re taking over the store, doesn’t mean you should ignore your life. You have time to learn. Ok? Have fun. Find a mate, or heck, a date. The store isn’t going anywhere.”
I sighed. I had no intention of finding a mate, or even dating. I’d fallen for my alpha, Alex, years ago, and he showed no interest in me. But a holiday dinner and skiing with him and our other friends did sound fun.
“There’s gas up there for the stove, and plenty for the generator in case the power goes out?” “The propane tank was filled a month or so ago, before your father and I went up for the weekend. We took up gas cans too. There’s plenty of wood for the fireplace. There’s no reason not to go.”
“Ok.”
“Good,” Mom said. “You’ve got your own keys, right?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“Ok. Just clean up when you’re done.”
Mom patted my shoulder and wandered off.
I stood and made my way to the living room, where my dad was busy knitting what looked to be a receiving blanket. I plopped down on the couch.
“Have a nice chat with your mother?” he asked as he counted the stitches.
“She told me you two are headed to Hawaii. Then somehow got me to agree to host my own party at the cabin.” I paused, then motioned at the blanket. “Who’s pregnant?”
“Your cousin Jeffrey. He’s due in a few months, so I need to work fast.”
“Send my regards.”
“You know I wouldn’t mind knitting one of these for you one of these days.”
“Not this again dad. I’ll mate when I’m ready.”
“I’d just like to enjoy my grandkids before I get old. Besides, you’ll love being pregnant. I always did.”
“And mom hated it the one time she was pregnant.”
Dad laughed. “Yeah. Point zero five percent chance of an omega male getting an alpha female pregnant, and we beat those odds in the handful of times I topped. But we got your little brother from it.” He smiled. “Though I don’t know which she hated more, the pregnancy or breastfeeding.”
“And yet you think I’ll love it?”
He glanced up and smirked. “It’s an alpha thing. Alphas love being in control, and the baby is in control while pregnant. It’s different for us omegas, and beta women. The instincts don’t fight it.”
Dad finished the row and set the blanket aside. “What’s bothering you kiddo? Are you really that upset that we’re going to Hawaii?”
I sighed. “It’s not that… sorta. I want you two to enjoy yourselves. I was just looking forward to seeing everybody.”
“Can’t do anything about Christian and Philip though. They’re not going to be here.”
I slumped. “I know.”
“You said you’re going to the cabin?”
“Yeah, mom seemed to think spending the holiday up there with friends was the right solution.”
“It’s not the worst idea.”
“It’s just… different.”
“Nothing bad about different. One day you’ll be the host, so might as well get a taste of it now.”
“Gee dad… thanks.”
Dad chuckled and picked up his knitting again. “You’ll see Liam. This is gonna be a good thing.”
I stood. “I’m gonna head home. If I’m hosting a party, I’d better invite some people.”
Dad laughed as I walked to the door. “I swear you’re the only person I know who’s not excited to get together with friends.”
I rested my hand on my coat. “It’s not that. I’m just going to miss you guys.”
Dad met my eyes with a smile. “We’ll do something when we get back. Ok?”
I smiled. “Ok.”
I pulled my coat on and strode out into the cold. I had a party to plan.
Fated Kisses #2
Andrew
“Three… Two... One… Happy New Year!”
I squeezed my eyes shut as the sound filtered in from the other room, but it didn’t stop a tear from escaping the corner of my eye.
Behind me, my… no, the alphahole snored, his knot lodged firmly in my ass.
“My resolution…” I whispered. “Take care of myself first.”
I’d spent the past year lowering my expectations to meet whatever effort the alpha behind me felt like giving, and he hadn’t even managed the simplest request in the last hour. After he’d complained, and made me back off my desire to go to Times Square to see the ball drop in person, I’d asked to at least watch it on television with some champagne.
Then, about a quarter past eleven he’d started bugging me for sex.
I won’t knot you baby, I promise. We’ll still have plenty of time to come back and see the ball drop.
I sighed, thankful he’d been drunk enough to not notice the condom I’d rolled on while I jerked his semi to full hardness. It was close enough to my heat that I couldn’t be careful enough, especially since the bastard was likely responsible for my suppressants being gone.
I’d picked up a new pack a week before, knowing my heat was coming. They helped with the symptoms, and let my birth control work. But two days after I’d put them in the cabinet, they were gone.
The piece of shit still knotted in my ass claimed to know nothing, but he was lying. He’d refused to look at me, and he was an insurance broker. He knew my policy wouldn’t cover another pack so soon.
My guess was that he planned to breed and claim me during my heat, and I’d be so far gone without suppressants I’d agree to almost anything.
His knot finally shrank enough for me to wriggle off.
I didn’t even wake him.
I slipped from the bed and grabbed my clothes as I made my way to the living room. I wanted a shower more than anything—to start the year free of his filth now that I had decided he wasn’t worth my time. But the shower would likely wake him, and that would make it harder to make a clean break.
He was a garbage alpha, though a year with him had my omega side still wanting to please him. It was an instinct that needed to go, or I’d find myself bound to him with a bun in the oven.
I had nothing against mating, or being pregnant. I honestly wanted it, and I was pretty sure he was counting on that. Find an omega who’d been raised a certain way, and they wouldn’t even notice how bad he was, because he was far better than what they’d left behind.
I’d almost let it happen to me.
I reached out and grabbed one of the glasses of champagne sitting on the coffee table, took a sip, and grimaced. It had gone flat.
I carried both glasses, and the bottle, to the sink and poured them all out. He’d be mad, he’d have probably drank it flat anyway. But it didn’t matter.
I grabbed my wallet, keys, and ordered a car to take me back to my apartment. I was about to walk out when I decided to do one last thing.
I walked over to the table, grabbed a pen and piece of paper. I wrote a single word on the paper: goodbye.
I shivered as I waited for the car, knowing the festive atmosphere likely had drivers working overtime. But it was better than being inside, where he could wake up.
Finally a car pulled up to the curb. I checked the information against the app, and was soon on my way to my apartment.
My lease was month to month. It came furnished, and I didn’t have much. Not to mention the landlord had made it clear there was a waiting list, and ‘why don’t I just move in with that nice alpha who came around so much?’
Hell, they’d probably love to see me just up and leave. I wouldn’t fight over letting them keep the last month, though they’d likely have it rented in a matter of days. And I had the photos from move-in to prove that I was leaving it in better shape than I found it, which was usually enough to prevent a fight over cleaning and security.
I decided. I’d pack my things into my beater car, and be on my way by morning.
I didn’t know where though. I couldn’t go home, or my parents would try to force me into an arranged mating. I wanted a small town, somewhere similar to where I’d grown up, but nicer to omegas. The shine of the city had worn off, and it was time for me to go. I pulled up a map app on my phone, scrolled out to see the entire US, closed my eyes and jammed my finger on the screen. A couple zooms later, and I’d highlighted a single town: Mountain Springs.
I grinned as location data came up. It was a town of about twenty-thousand people, nestled in the mountains in the west. It was about as far from New York as I could get in terms of population, and a fair bit across the country as well.
I knew nothing else, but taking care of myself meant getting away from the alpha that was slowly trying to control my life, and finding a new place I could call home. Mountain Springs seemed as good a place as any to start.
Candy Kisses #3
Chapter 1 - Mason
I sat at the kitchen counter and picked up the newest edition of Mountain Springs’ bi-weekly newspaper. Given the overall state of the print media industry, I was glad to support the town paper and they did good work. However, the headline on the front page made me scowl: Arsonist Continues to Elude Fire Investigators.
The news made me worry for two reasons. The first was that it meant there was still somebody out there setting fires with no clear motive. The other was my friend Liam. The first incident had been a stand of bears set aflame in front of his parents’ gift store, and though the arsonist hadn’t targeted any single place twice, it couldn’t be ruled out either. It was stressful enough already, but Liam was pregnant on top of that.
I skimmed the article, but wasn’t too hopeful about finding anything of use in it. The title seemed to sum it up pretty well.
I picked out a few more articles to read while I drank my coffee, then it was time to get ready for work. As the town’s chocolatier, one of my busiest seasons was upon me and I had orders to make.
Eleven months out of the year I loved my work. I got to be creative, making new shapes and flavors of treats for the various holidays. Rose and lavender infused chocolates for Mother’s Day, beer and whiskey for the dads. My white chocolate green caramel eyeballs were Halloween favorites, and I’d had lines before Christmas for my chocolate-coated gingerbread men.
But the next holiday was the one I wished I could shut down the store for. Each chocolate-dipped strawberry and heart-shaped confection was like a dagger in my soul. Every one a reminder of the betrayal I felt.
Maybe I’d hire and train a new employee over the summer so they’d be ready to take over the following February and allow me to go on vacation—preferably somewhere warm and where I could avoid all the couples kissing and being lovey-dovey.
I headed to the bathroom to brush my teeth, and studied my beard in the mirror. I’d need to trim it soon or the health inspector would insist on a net for it. I liked the length, especially in winter, but the nets were uncomfortable and it was better to keep my facial hair neat than have to constantly be dealing with the net while trying to work.
I ran a comb through my beard to be safe, and made a mental note to book an appointment with my barber. Then I headed downstairs from my apartment to the kitchen of Mount Chocolate.
One of the nice things about running a candy store rather than a bakery was that I could keep slightly more normal hours than a baker would, at least most of the time. But today the sun had barely cleared the horizon when I walked in and flicked on the lights, which reflected off the stainless-steel work tables.
Even when I hated the holiday, I never hated the sight of my passion ready for me each morning. In a few hours those same tables would be filled with confections in various stages of making, the scent of chocolate filling the air.
I wandered over to my calendar and compared the schedule with pre-order quantities, trying to decide if I needed to shuffle anything. Chocolate-covered strawberries were flying off the shelf, but I couldn’t start on the bulk of the orders for them until the thirteenth so that the fruit remained fresh on the big day. Which meant it was other chocolate and gift basket prep with things that could last the week until February fourteenth.
Satisfied that my schedule was still fine, I started gathering my ingredients. First up was a big batch of red chile chocolates. They’d been popular the year before, and I decided to spruce things up with special boxes that read ‘Hot Stuff for my Hot Stuff.’ The special box meant that a number of people had ordered them, and as it would be shelf-stable longer it was a good choice to get a head start on.
Soon I was fully immersed in the work, tempering the chocolate to glossy perfection and mixing in the spicy chile. I then spread it to cool before breaking it into bark-style pieces.
I’d been so immersed in my work that I jolted when I heard the little bell over the front door chime.
“Mason?”
I breathed out a sigh, calming my nerves. It was just Andrew. He’d breezed into town the month prior, but had only been working for me a week, since a receptionist job fell through almost immediately after they’d told him he’d been hired. But he’d shown himself more than capable of the work and a trustworthy employee.
He’d also fit right into my circle of omega friends, and after a love-at-first-sight romance was mated to a local alpha and had announced his pregnancy a few days before.
“Back here,” I called.
Andrew came back and smiled. “Where do you need me today?”
“Hop on the register until Daniel comes in, then you can come back and start prepping the hot stuff boxes.”
“You got it,” Andrew said as he grabbed an apron and a little candyman hat. A minute later I heard the sound of bills being counted as he prepped the register.
I had to admit, the other omega had come in at just the right time. I’d steadily been getting busier and with the dreaded holiday only a week away it was time for all hands on deck to push through.
I just had to hope he’d be willing to stay after February. He’d mentioned that he preferred office jobs, and was considering going back to school, but having him even on a part-time basis would be great.
I got the second batch of chile chocolate cooling and started on another specialty, Love Bites, which were small chocolates with a hot cinnamon kick.
Soon the sounds of customers drifted in from the front: people placing orders for gift boxes, excited children squealing with delight, and the sweetest of them all was the compliments as people tasted my creations.
Daniel came in around noon, which gave me a chance to head to Glen’s Diner and grab lunch for the three of us. Then Andrew and I spent the afternoon filling boxes and bags of candy while Daniel sold it out the front almost faster than I could make it.
Finally it was closing time, and after Daniel cleaned up the front he joined Andrew and I in the back on the assembly line. Soon we had stacks of boxes and gift baskets ready for both orders and regular store stock.
We were wiping down the tables when we heard the blare of sirens, followed by the low blast of a fire engine’s horn. The three of us ran to the front and out the door, eyes tracing the direction of the emergency lights until we saw black smoke rising from the direction of the community center.
“Think it’s the arsonist again?” Andrew asked quietly.
I nodded. “It’s a reasonable bet.”
Clover Kisses #4
Chapter 1 - Sean
~Beginning of December~
My stomach roiled, and it was probably only the lack of anything in it that kept me from vomiting into the doctor’s trash can.
I’d been sick off and on for the better part of a week, ever since we’d returned from the Thanksgiving holiday. I figured I’d just ate something bad, and it needed to work its way out of my system.
Unfortunately, finals were the next week, and I didn’t have the luxury of waiting to kick it naturally. I needed to study if I was going to pass all my exams, and running to the bathroom to vomit every time the nausea hit wasn’t conducive to good study habits.
“Good afternoon Mr. Murphy,” the doctor said as he strolled into the exam room of the campus clinic, eyes on my file. “What brings you in today? Nausea?”
I nodded. “Yes doctor. I’ve been feeling sick for about a week.”
He scanned my chart again. “Well, it looks like your vitals are good. Blood pressure, pulse, O-two and temperature are all ok.”
“I think it’s food poisoning. I’ve had nausea and vomiting.”
The doctor frowned. “For a week?”
I nodded.
“Any other symptoms?”
“I’ve been tired, but I think it’s just my body trying to work through this thing.”
The doctor was silent for a moment, going over the chart again before looking at me. “I’m going to have a nurse draw a blood sample to test for a couple things.”
“Umm… ok?”
He cast a smile at me, but for some reason I wasn’t reassured. “She’ll be in shortly. We do our own testing with student assistants, so we’ll have results quickly.”
I nodded. “Should I come back?”
“No, you can wait here.”
“Ok.”
The doctor tried smiling at me again, but it only served to further convince me that something was bothering him.
He left the room, and a female omega nurse came in a few minutes later. I turned my head as she took a blood sample, and noticed the same unease that the doctor displayed.
My thoughts went wild once I was alone in the room. Was there something contagious going around campus? Did I have signs of something more serious than a serving of some bad leftovers?
The questions ran through my head. Luckily I was spared from them continuing for too long by the reappearance of the doctor.
Unfortunately, his expression left me worried.
“Mr. Murphy, when was your last heat?”
I blinked. “They’re not very regular for me, but…” I thought about it. “Beginning of October?”
“You’re sure?”
I bit my lip, then nodded. “It was before midterms. I remember being frustrated because I needed to study.”
The doctor made a note. “And when was the last time you had intercourse?”
I shook my head. “I haven’t.”
The doctor scowled. “You’ve never…?” He left the question unfinished.
“No.” I raised my hands slightly. “My family is a bit conservative and have dissuaded sex before mating, but I just haven’t met an alpha I was willing to go that far with yet.”
The doctor licked his lips and took a deep breath. “I don’t know how to say this Mr. Murphy… but… you’re pregnant.”
I stared for a moment. “That’s impossible.”
He shook his head. “The hormone levels in your blood test are conclusive. You’re just about a month along.”
“No. I’ve never…”
“Has there been any time in the past month or so that you can’t remember, or may have been incapacitated?”
“Not that I…” I paused. “There was a party… a few days after Halloween. I didn’t mean to be drinking, but I must have been handed something. The night is a bit fuzzy, but I woke up in my own room.”
The doctor pulled the stool around and sank onto it. “Mr. Murphy… have you ever heard of a berry party?”
I shook my head.
He sighed. “It’s when… well… Sometimes they’re planned and consensual, but it seems you’re a victim of the other kind. A group of alphas targets several known virgin omegas, spike their drinks at a party, then… pop the berry.”
I felt the blood drain from my face. “You mean I was…?” Anger, anguish, disgust, and more emotions than I could name combined and curled through me.
He nodded. “If you’re being honest, and have never had consensual sex, then…”
I curled around myself. I’d been violated, and the baby now growing inside me was the result.
“What do I do now?” I whimpered.
The doctor reached out and rested his hand on my knee. “You have options if you decide that you can’t raise the baby. We have counselors who can help you decide if adoption or termination are a better choice for you.”
I bit my lip, and moved my hand to press on my stomach. I hated how it happened, but I already knew I could never hate my baby. I shook my head.
“I’m still going to recommend a counselor to help you deal with the trauma, and you don’t have to decide right now. Ok?”
I nodded, numb.
“Mr. Murphy?”
I looked at the doctor.
“I can’t give you details, confidentiality laws, but I can tell you that you’re not the only victim. I’ve personally seen other omegas who were likely at the same party.”
My heart dropped. “Pregnant?”
His silence was enough of an answer.
Suddenly anger was my prevailing emotion. “When is the soonest that you can determine paternity?”
The doctor looked startled, then nodded in approval. “That’s what I like to hear. We can schedule a test for that in the next few weeks. It’s not as good as after birth, but these circumstances warrant it.”
“Good. I’ll be testing for paternity then.”
“May I give you some non-medical advice?”
I blinked. “Ok.”
“Don’t talk to the school administration. Their track record isn’t going to help. If you’re fighting, go right to the cops.”
I nodded. I owed it to my baby to prove that their papa was an omega willing to fight for what's right.
Saturday's Series Spotlight
Lacey DaizeLacey lives in New Mexico with her four critters. She’s a Jill-of-all-trades by day, but loves writing in her spare time. She dabbles in a variety of pairings, but jumped feet-first into the deep end of omegaverse the first time she read it. She loves the play on social expectations and the different ways to express romance.
Peppermint Kisses #1
Fated Kisses #2
Candy Kisses #3
Clover Kisses #4
